San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-15

"AhI Morton, boy" said Mr.. Parton,
sauntering on 10 the lawn and stretching
himself. Fine day."
"GloriOus," responded Harry.
"Been sketching see.n
'Yes" answered the artist, handing up
his sketch book. Just a little thing. It'll
come very prettily, ! think, abont eighteen
by twelve"
"Huml Yes. Augh-h-hl Stay and dine
to-dayp'
"With pleasure"
ats time you were OIL, isn't IT. PollyP'
asked her father. "Your aunt will be ex-
pecting you"
''Oh, don't know said the girl, listless-
ly. 81 don't think shall CO."
Nonsense" said the old gentleman.
you must | promised that you should.
Come, 70 and Dirt IS, thCT : = rood girl"
Mary rose with something like a sigh, and
went indoors.
'See you at dinner, supposeg' said her
father, preparing to follow.
"By Jove, sir" said the young man, with
sudden confused vivacity; how stupid Of
me! / must ask you to excuse me, sir, to-
day. / have an appointment l had really
forgotten all about it."
"You young people never know your own
minds for five minutes together" growled
the old man. He liked Harry and was vex-
ed to lose his company at dinner. But he
went back into the house with farewell
nod, as blind as old age usually is TO the
transparent pretenses of youth. Harry pick
ed up his sketch block, lit his pipe, and went
off, humming cheerful tune. But as he
turned the corner of the little copsC the tune
stopped with ludicrous suddenness, as its
performer felt hand upon his shoulder.
He turned, and beheld the seedy man in the
white hat
''The devil' said Mr.. Henry Morton.
And at that exact moment John Brookes,
disconsOlately wandering in lover-like medi-
tation, came round the corner of the lane,
and witnessed this affecting recognition.
Neither the seedy man nor Morton saw him;
but he saw both and stood still, surprise legi-
bly, written OH his face.
where Is Mary tonight" asked Jack, as
he took his seat at the dining table. He had
cast his fustian, and was habited I'm the ev-
eryday costume of British gentleman.
''She has gone down to her aunt's. You
had better go over little later and bring
her home"
Jack nodded, and attacked his dinner with
great show Of appetite, but ate little, and
responded with evident lack of interest to
Mr.. Parton's conversational advances. Some
what to his own surprise, MOrton's encoun-
ter with the seedy man in the lane was
stranger in his thoughts than his sweet
hearts uuaccOuntable obduracy. The glimpse
he had caught, though a short one, had i'm
pressed him strongly. There had been an
obvious fear in MortOn's face, and leering
triumph in the regard of his companion
which puzzled and perturbed the mind Of
the witness of their meeting. He grew al
most angry at the pcrsistency with which
the little scene returned again and again to
his thoughts.
"You seem little out of sorts, jack"
said Mr.. Parton.
"N-no; don't know that am" answer
ed the young fellow.
Fill your glass and pass the decanter,
and I'll tell you something to improve your
spirits"
Jack obeyed.
"Well?' he asked, when the elder man
had drained his glass;
1.-THE Governor of Terra del Perro has &C
cepted our estimate for the Irrigation
Scheme"
"Bravor' cried Jack, reused from his
brOoding state by the intelligence. Parton
& Co. fOreyerp'
81 don't know" continued the elderly
man, that the profit will be much, but the
kudos will be considerable, and I'm very
glad we've got it,"
who's going Outg' asked Jack.
81 was thinking" said Mr.. Parton slowly,
'of sending you"
"Me?" cried the young man. There was
both surprise and pleasure in his tone, but
there was also something which was neither
of the two.
"Yes; you're young, perhaps, to be trusted
with such an affair; but, unless l went my
self, / don't know where | could find bet
ter man."
THANK you, sir" said Jack, cordially.
at would be the making of yOu," continu-
ed the elder man. you would get couple
of years Of such practical experience as you
could not get elsewhere. It'll be no child's
play, mind you. | was out there in SO, when
the irrigation question was first started, and
never saw more heartbreaking country
In my life. You must study my notes; they
will be of great service to you; and I'd adj
wise you to give some of yOuftime to learn
ing Spanish. There's nOhurry.
"I'm very much obliged to you, sir; very
deeply fattered by your confidence" said
Jack, with sudden air of desperation;' but
can't accept it until I've asked Mary"
MARY" repeated Mr.. Parton, with be-
wildered face. what on earth has Mary
to do with itY'
Jack blushed fiery red. Mr.. Parton, af-
ter looking at him in blank amazement for
q minute, leaned suddenly back in his chair,
and laughed until his complexion rivalled
his companions.
"You young villainr' he painted, when his
laugh was over. "Iiow you startled me !
You'd better be less abrupt with Mary.
Though dare say" he continued, with an.
other chuckle, shell be better prepared
than was"
Il haven't said anything to her yet"
said Jack. THAT is nothing definite; but"
But you think she understands you, Ell?
The young slybOotsl To think of this going
on under my very nose, and to know moth
ing Of itP' He laughed again, and then,
with face of sudden gravity, held out his
hand to the bluShing youth, and gripped his
hand. You have my best wishes, my boy.
She could not have a better man than my
sisters son."
Thank you, sir" said Jack simply.
II hope she'll take yOu," said the old man.
Though If she does, you can't take her-to
Terra del Perror
why not?'
"Why not? A nice honeymoon you'd have
twelve hours day in the saddles, and a
menu Of fried pork and beans, alternating
with biscuit and onions. A month of it
would kill her."
81 suppose So" said Jack, ruefully.
well, my boy" said Mr.. Parton, ''you
have my full permission to try your luck,
and nv best wishes for your success Mat